KALAMAZOO, Mich., June 18, 2025 ~ The 50th Stulberg International String Competition, known as one of the world's most prestigious classical music competitions for string players under the age of 20, recently concluded with record-breaking global reach. The competition, which attracted over 120,000 livestream viewers from around the world, was marked by exceptional talent, international collaboration, and generous philanthropic support.

This year's competition was made even more special by the milestone sponsorship of Zhang Financial. As a longtime supporter of the Stulberg Competition, Zhang Financial reached a new level of involvement by becoming the Diamond Tier Sponsor and sponsoring a jury position for the first time. This position was none other than the Cello Judge Chair, which was filled by renowned Chinese-Australian cellist Li-Wei Qin. Qin's participation in the competition made history as he became the first cello juror originally from China. He joined an esteemed panel that included renowned violinist Rachel Barton Pine and Grammy Award-winning composer Lucas Richman.

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Reflecting on his role as a juror, Li-Wei Qin expressed his deep honor to be a part of such a prestigious competition that showcases the future of classical music. He also shared his admiration for the young musicians' bravery and exceptional performances.

In addition to sponsoring the jury seat, Lynn & Charles Zhang personally accompanied Qin to Chicago for a special event - selecting a rare 1741 David Tecchler cello provided by Kenneth Warren & Son. This cello was featured throughout the competition weekend and added an extra layer of excitement to this milestone year.

Charles Zhang emphasized that supporting young musicians at such a high level requires more than just financial support - it also demands passion, collaboration, and vision. He expressed how meaningful it was for them to be a part of Li-Wei's cello selection journey and how proud they are to share this story with audiences around the world.

The experience also inspired a new media initiative called "Countdown to Stulberg: Semi-Final and Final Round Spotlight." This pre-show broadcast series was conceptualized during the Chicago trip and named by Lynn Chen-Zhang. It was executive produced by WMU Violin Professor Sophie Tang and featured interviews with 2025 judges, Lynn Chen-Zhang, Dean Daniel Guyette (WMU College of Fine Arts), Stulberg President Megan Yankee, Kalamazoo Symphony President Jessica Mallow Gulley, and Stulberg Board Member Barry Ross.

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Lynn Chen-Zhang highlighted the importance of music education as a powerful bridge for connection, growth, and global cultural exchange. She expressed her pride in supporting the Stulberg Competition's mission and its embodiment of the artistic soul of Kalamazoo.

The cello selection process was also documented in a short film directed and produced by Sophie Tang. This film will be released later in 2025 as part of a broader cultural outreach initiative supported by Light Center Research.

As the competition came to a close, four talented musicians were awarded medals for their exceptional performances. The 2025 Stulberg Medalists are Laurentia Woo (violin) who won the Gold Medal, Zekai Chen (violin) who won the Silver Medal, Oliver Mar (cello) who won the Bronze Medal, and Lauren Yoon (violin) who received the Julius & Esther Stulberg Memorial Prize.

As the lights dimmed on this historic anniversary, it was clear that the Stulberg Competition is more than just a stage - it is a bridge between cultures, generations, and the ever-evolving landscape of classical music. The competition continues to inspire young musicians from around the world and showcase their exceptional talents to a global audience.

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